Some Mahoning County revenue streams see increase

YOUNGSTOWN — With two-thirds of the year elapsed, Mahoning County’s general fund is projected to finish the year with a $363,478 surplus after it makes debt payments and covers operating expenses, the county’s chief deputy auditor said.

A total of $54,318,663 has been appropriated for spending so far, and the county commissioners plan to add $1.1 million to that to enable the sheriff’s department to maintain current jail operations the rest of the year.

The county entered the year with a carry-over from 2010 of $5,035,400; and the veterans’ service commission is expected to return about $500,000 in unused money to the general fund, Carol McFall, chief deputy auditor, explained.

The county must make $10,776,122 in debt payments Dec. 1, but it will then refinance $6.5 million of that, McFall said in a report she gave the county commissioners in a Tuesday staff meeting.

The county’s debt includes borrowing for renovations at Oakhill Renaissance Place and the courthouse, she said.

McFall said total general fund revenues are now projected to be higher than what was projected at the beginning of this year due to higher-than-expected sales and real-estate tax collections and state funding.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com